Last month, Be.Bendigo proudly welcomed our 400th current member, Jenny’s Early Learning Centre! This achievement not only highlights the strength of our regional business community but also speaks to the continued trust and commitment of our members and partners. Together, we’re creating a vibrant, resilient business environment where local organisations can thrive and collaborate.
The Value of Membership at Be.Bendigo
At Be.Bendigo, each membership supports a community with access to a wide range of resources and benefits designed to help businesses grow, connect, and succeed. Our goal is to foster a culture of continuous improvement and opportunity through our network. Each new member, like Jenny’s ELC, brings unique value to this community, helping us collectively drive business forward in Bendigo.
Listening to Our Members: 2024 Engagement Survey Insights
As we look to the future, we’re also focused on understanding our members’ evolving needs. Earlier this year, we conducted an Engagement Survey to gather feedback on our offerings, engagement, and how we can improve. Here’s what we learned:
- Membership Value: An overwhelming majority of respondents expressed high satisfaction with the value they receive from Be.Bendigo. From networking events and workshops to advocacy and community support, members appreciate the resources available to them.
- Enhanced Communication: Our newsletter is very popular and provides members with regular business insights, event news, and resources. However, many members would like to hear from us more often, suggesting that there’s room to increase the frequency of our communication which might include one-on-one checks in, lists of upcoming events or opportunities.
- Accessible and Flexible Events: Time constraints can make it challenging for some members to attend in-person events. There was significant interest in more online events or content that can be accessed at any time, allowing members to engage with us in a way that fits their busy schedules, similar to our podcast resource.
- Expanded Event Hours: While our After 5 networking events are well-loved, many respondents noted that more flexible timing could make it easier for everyone to attend. This feedback has inspired us to diversify our event offerings, introducing options that cater to different work schedules.
New Initiatives for 2025: Growing and Evolving Together
With our members’ feedback guiding our path forward, we’re excited to announce several new initiatives and improvements designed to enhance the Be.Bendigo experience in 2025:
- Extended Event Offerings: While our After 5 networking events will remain, we’ll also introduce Before 9 and Before 5 opportunities, giving members more flexibility in choosing an event time that works for them.
- Business Bites Webinars: We’re excited to offer short, topic-focused webinars that will be recorded and accessible anytime. These sessions will cover a variety of relevant topics, from marketing and finance to leadership and wellbeing, providing members with practical insights and tools to help their businesses succeed.
- Improved Communication: Responding to member feedback, we’ll be improving our communication processes to ensure our members take best advantage of their membership. Look for new ways to stay connected with Be.Bendigo in 2025!
A Special Thank You
This milestone wouldn’t be possible without our engaged members, our supportive partners, and the local business community that inspires us every day. As we plan for an exciting 2025, we’re grateful for the trust and enthusiasm each member brings to Be.Bendigo.
We look forward to growing with you and continuing to build a supportive, thriving network in Greater Bendigo.
